The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Rhodo of Asia
fl. c. 180 (death unrecorded) · Pupil of Tatian · Anti-Marcionite writer · Asia → Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Rhodo of Asia was
An Asian Christian who studied at Rome under Tatian and afterward wrote against the Marcionites, whose own school had by then splintered into factions. Eusebius quotes his report of interrogating the aged Marcionite teacher Apelles, who, cornered on why he still held doctrines he could not defend, answered that one need not examine one’s belief but simply believe — a candour Rhodo found damning. His works are lost but for these Eusebian fragments; he is a small window on the second-century contest of the schools.
Also listed in heretics & schismatics.
Common questions
When was Rhodo active?
Rhodo of Asia is dated fl. c. 180 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Rhodo in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
What did Rhodo write?
Rhodo of Asia has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: Against the Marcionites (fragments).
Which early sources mention Rhodo?
Rhodo of Asia is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome of Stridon. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Rhodo from?
The archive associates Rhodo of Asia with Asia, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (1)
Against the Marcionites (fragments)
c. 180For the old man Apelles, when he conversed with us, was refuted in many things which he spoke falsely; whence also he said that it was not necessary to examine one’s doctrine, but that each should remain as he believed.Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Ecclesiastical History V.13
c. AD 325Rhodo, a native of Asia, who had been instructed, as he himself states, by Tatian… wrote various books, and among the rest one against the heresy of Marcion.Eusebius of Caesarea · V.13 · source text
On Illustrious Men 37
c. AD 392Rhodo, a native of Asia, instructed in the Scriptures at Rome by Tatian, published many things, especially a notable work against Marcion.Jerome of Stridon · On Illustrious Men 37 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 117 · Symeon and Ignatius martyred, AD 117
- AD 135 · Bar Kokhba crushed; Aelia Capitolina, AD 135
- AD 144 · Marcion expelled at Rome, AD 144
- AD 156 · The New Prophecy erupts, AD 156
- AD 177 · Persecution at Lyon and Vienne, AD 177
- AD 180 · The Scillitan martyrs, AD 180
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Rhodo, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.